Public insight should be sought before cut-off of DIA millage funding

We wonder if Oakland Countyís executive and Art Authority are aiming their threat at the right target Ė or if the threats themselves accurately reflect the desire of their bosses.

The Authority forwards the voter-approved .2-mill tax to the Detroit Institute of Arts. Similar taxes are collected in Wayne and Macomb Counties to support the museum.

In Detroitís bankruptcy proceedings, itís possible that some of the museumís treasures, its best and most valuable works of art, could be sold to pay off creditors.

The Oakland Authority voted to cut off the tax if that happens. Macomb County officials have made a similar pledge.

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The moves would deal a blow, perhaps a fatal one, to the museum since the now-bankrupt city which owns it ended most support.

But arenít the county officials barking up the wrong tree? The bankruptcy proceeding is in federal court.

Are creditors, including those who hold bonds on the way to becoming worthless and those receiving a pension from the city Ė some as their only source of income, likely to worry if substantial support is cut off to the Institute?

For that matter, is it a bluff to be called?

If the threat of cutting off all funds is to be taken seriously, perhaps a few works should be sold. If suburban tax money is withheld, itís possible that the DIA canít survive on whatever operating money is left.

Fine then, if weíre left with a non-viable institution, letís sell off all the rest as well. Letís get this bankruptcy problem resolved.

OK, weíre just sayiní.

Itís also reasonable to wonder what those who voted for the tax in the three counties think of all this.

If the sale of a few high-value works of art would yield, say, a few hundred million dollars, we assume it would trigger the threatened cutoff of funds, at least from Oakland County since the others havenít spoken as directly as that Art Authority.

Is that what those who voted for that .2-mill tax would wish?

Thatís not at all clear to us. Itís possible that voters would just as soon not throw out the baby with the bathwater.